Copolymer of polyallyl ester and unsaturated alkyd resin



Patented June 22, 1948 COPOLYMER OF POLYALLYL ESTER AND UNSATURATED ALKYD RESIN Edward L. Krona. Old Greenwich, Conn, aasignor to American Oyanamid Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Maine No Drawing. Application July 12, 1943, Serial No. 494,840

20 Claims. (Cl. 260-45.!)

This invention relates to resinous compositions and processes of producing such compositions by polymerizing or reacting a reactive resin of the alkyd type with reactive organic substances, generally solvents, to form substantially infusible, substantially insoluble resins.

One 01 the objects oi this invention is to prepare improved resins and especially to obtain clear and colorless gels.

It is also an object of this invention to provide potentially polymerizable solutions which would be stable during storage.

Still another object of this invention is to control the rate of polymerization of the reactive mixture, as well as to improve the properties and characteristics of resulting gels.

Another object of this invention is to prepare compounds particularly suitable for use as coating compositions and as componentsin coating compositions.

A further object of the present invention is to prepare molding compositions and especially to prepare clear and colorless molded materials. Another object of this invention is to prepare laminated moldings having high strength and other desirable properties.

A still further object of this invention is to provide molding compositions suitable for injection molding. Other objects will be apparent from the description.

Substantially insoluble, substantially ini'usible resins may be prepared by means of the chemical reaction or polymerization of a mixture containing a resin possessing a plurality of polymerizably reactive alpha, beta enal groups (1. e.,

and an organic substance which contains the polymerizably reactive group CHr=CHCH2-. The high boiling allyl compounds are the preferred reactive organic substances. Such mixtures may be utilized in coating compositions, in molding compositions, in laminating, in adhesives, in casting compositions, etc.

For the sake of brevity the organic substances which contain the polymerizable reactive group, CHa=C will be referred to herein as "reactive materials or as "reactive materials containing the CH:=C group and they are thus to be distinguished from the resins which possess a pinrality oi polymerizably reactive alpha, beta enal groups which are designated herein as "reactive resins" or as "unsaturated alkyd resins."

Many of the reactive materials containing the CHa=C group are solvents and therefore the reactive resins may be dissolved therein to form liquid compositions which may be used as such without the addition of any other solvent unless particularly desirable. It is to be understood, however, that I am not restricted to liquid substances which actually act as solvents since in some cases the organic liquid substances may in tact act as a solute rather than as a solvent, it being dissolved by the resin, or a colloidal solution may be produced instead of a true solution. Furthermore, the reactive material may be a resin containing a plurality of CH2=C groups or CH:=CHCH: groups. Such a substance could be cured by a reactive resin or by a reactive substance which contains polymerizably reactive alpha, beta enal groups. Such substances may be derived from alpha, beta unsaturated organic acids, for example, by esteriflcation of such acids.

Among the reactive resins used in the practice of this invention for interaction with the reactive material containing the Cl-h=C group are those which are derived from alpha, beta unsaturated organic acids and, therefore, contain the reactive groupings present in these acids. The term "acids" as used herein is intended to include the anhydrides as well as the acid themselves since the former may be used instead of the acid. The term alpha, beta-unsaturated organic acid as used in the art does not include acids wherein the unsaturated group is part of an aromaticacting radical, as for example, phthalic acid, and the same definition is adopted herein.

The resins are preferably produced by the esteriflcation of an alpha, beta-unsaturated polycarboiwllc acid with a polyhydric alcohol and particularly a ycol. Although esteriflcation oi the acid with a polyhydric alcohol is perhaps one of the simplest, most convenient ways of obtaining a reactive resin, I am not precluded from using resins otherwise derived from alpha, betaunsaturated organic acids. Reactive resins suitable for my invention are any of thosecontaining a plurality of polymerizably reactive alpha, beta enal groups.

Paaranarrou or rm.- Ponmarzaan Mzxmss A reactive resin such as those prepared by the esterilcation of alpha, beta-unsaturated organic acids and a glycol or other polyhydric alcohol as illustrated above is mixed with the reactive material containing the group CHa=C Upon adding a polymerization catalyst and subjecting the mixture to polymerization conditions such as, for example, heat, light or a combination of both, a

substantially insoluble, substantially infusible resin is obtained.

All of the reactive substances suitable for use according to my invention for reaction with a reactive resin are characterized by the presence of the reactive group CH==C and none of them contain conjugated carbon-to-carbon double bonds. Compounds containing a conjugated system of carbon-to-carbon double bonds are known to react with themselves or with other unsaturated compounds such as the maleic esters, by a 1,2-1,4 addition mechanism such as that which has become generally known as the Dials-Alder reaction. n the other hand, compounds such as those used according to the present invention and which contain no conjugated carbon-to-carbon double bonds obviously cannot undergo this type of reaction with the maleic esters. Accordingly, my invention is not directed to the use of unsaturated compounds containing conjugated systems of carbon-to-carbon double bonds. Many substances which contain a carbon-to-carbon double bond conjugated with respect to oxygen are suitable for use according to my invention since they do not react with unsaturated alkyd resins in an undesirable manner, but, instead, copolymerize or interpolymerize to form substantially infusible, substantially insoluble resins.

fhe reactive allyl compounds which may be used are any of those compounds which contain the CH2==CH-CH2- group and which do not have a boiling point below about 60 C. Of the allyl compounds which may be used the allyl esters form a large class all of which are suitable. The reactive allyi compounds which have been found to be most suitable are those having a. high boiling point such as the diallyl esters, e. g., diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl phthaiate and diallyl succinate. Other allyl compounds may also be used which are not necessarily high boiling. As pointed out in my copendlng application, Serial No. 487,034, filed May 14, 1943, substantially insoluble and substantially lnfusible resins may be prepared by reacting or polymerizing any of the following with a polymerlzably reactive resin of the type described herein, i. e., unsaturated alkyd resins containing a plurality of alpha, beta enal groups: allyl alcohol, methailyl alcohol, allyl acetate, allyl lactate, the allyl ester of alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid, allyl acrylate, allyl methacrylate, diallyl carbonate, diallyl malonate, diallyl oxalate, diallyl succinate, diallyl gluconate, diallyl methylgluconate, diallyl adipate, the diallyl ester of azelaic acid, diallyl sebacate, diallyl tartronate, diallyl tartrate, diallyl cilicone, diallyl silicate, diallyl fumarate, diallyl maleate, diallyl mesaconate, diallyl citraconate, diallyl glutaconate, the diallyl ester of muconic acid, diallyl itaconate, diallyl phthalate, the diallyl ester of endomethylene tetrahydrophthalic anhydride, triallyl tricarballylate, triallyl aconitate, triallyl citrate, triallyl phosphate, trimethallyl phosphate, the diallyl ester of ethylene glycol dicarbonate (i. e.,

the diallyl ester of ethylene glycol dimalonate, the diallyl ester of ethylene glycol dioxalate, the diallyl ester of diethylene glycol dicarbonate, the diallyl ester of diethylene glycol dimalonate, the diallyl ester of diethylene glycol dioxalate, the

4 diallyl ester of carbonic acid or of other dicarboxylic acid, diesters of other glycols, e. g., propylene glycol. the butylene glycols, triethylene estersglycol, etc., tetraaliyl silicate and other tetraallyl Tetraallyl compounds are not easily prepared by direct esteriflcation. One way for preparing such compounds is by the use of the acid chlorides.

Other allyl compounds which may be used for reaction with a polymerizable and unsaturated alkyd resin include reaction products of allyl malonate with formaldehyde or glyoxal. such compounds having the following formula respectively:

UHFCHCHt-O0O coocm-on=on' OH-CHr-C cooom-on=cni coocnr-cn=oni =orr-on= OHFCH-OHr-OO OOCH GH=OHI Another compound which may be employed is the tetraallyl ester obtained by the reaction of allyl malonate with chloroform in the presence of sodium allylate and which has the following formula:

Still another compound which may be employed is the compound having the following formula:

and it may be prepared by reacting ailyl acetylene dicarboxylate with allyi malonate.

The polymerization catalysts include the organic superoxides, aldehydic and acidic peroxides. Among the preferred catalysts there are: the acidic peroxides, e. g.. benzoyl peroxide, phthalic peroxide, succinic peroxide and benzoyl acetic peroxide; fatty oil acid peroxides, e. g., coconut oil acid peroxides, lauric peroxide, stearic peroxide and oleic peroxide; alcohol peroxides, e. g., tertiary butyl hydroperoxide usually called tertiary butyl peroxide and terpene oxides, e. g., ascaridole. Still other polymerization catalysts might be used in some instances such as soluble cobalt salts (particularly the linoleate and naphthenate), p-toluene sulfonic acid, aluminum chloride, stannic chloride and boron trifluoride.

The term polymerization catalyst as used in this specification is not intended to cover oxygen contained in the resin as an impurity. While this small amount of oxygen would only catalyze the reaction to a very small extent, in order to eliminate any ambiguity the term polymerization catalyst is specifically defined as excluding atigu oxygen present as an impurity in the resin 1 The concentration of catalyst employed is usually small, 1. e.', for the preferred catalysts, from about 1 part catalyst per thousand parts of the reactive mixture to about 2 parts per hundred 8 01 catalyst necessary to eflect polymerization may be well above 5%.

The polymerization conditions referred to are heat, light, or a combination of both. Ultraviolet light is more effective than ordinary light. The temperature of conversion depends somewhat on the boiling point of the reactive material and also on the pressures used. At atmospheric pressure, as in coating and casting operatlons, temperatures near or above the boiling point are unsuitable in most instances since substantial amounts of the reactive material would be lost by evaporation before the reaction between the resin and reactive material can be completed. Accordingly a temperature between room temperature (about 20-25 C.) and the boiling point is usually employed where polymerization of this nature is carried out. The rate oi polymerization doubles for about each ten degrees ((2.) rise in temperature for this reaction. A temperature is selected which will give a suitable reaction rate and yet not cause substantial volatilization. The following table shows the approximate polymerization temperatures most suitable for the named reactive materiais.

Obviously it will be necessary to use lower temperatures it large or very thick pieces are being cast because of the exothermic reaction and poor heat conductivity of the reacting mixture.

Where suitable precautions are taken to prevent evaporation of our reactive material or where pressure molding is used higher temperature than those mentioned above could be used. Since the time of curing is desirably much shorter (in pressure molding at elevated temperatures) and since the reactive material containing the CH-.--C group would not be lost so easily, a higher temperature is preferred.

The particular reactive resin, reactive material and catalyst is selected according to the type of product desired, taking into account the solubilities of the reactants as well as the character of the resulting gels. Some combinations of reactive resins and reactive materials result in opaque gels while others give clear products in the gel state. Obviously for many purposes the opaque gel may be used equally as well as the clear gel. The following examples (the proportions being given in parts by weight) illustrate these principles and indicate optimum control conditions, particularly in comparison with less suitable control conditions:

Example 1 parts of triallyl tricarballylate are mixed with 10 parts of diethylene glycol maleate resin and 0.4% benzoyl peroxide. The resulting reactive mixture is heated in the form of a small casting for about 40-60 C. for about 24 hours and then at about 100 C. for several hours. A hard. clear casting is obtained.

Example 2 10 parts of diallyl sebacate are mixed with 10 parts of a resin obtained by esterifying 1 mol of diethylene glycol with about 1 mo] of a mixture including fumaric acid and sebacic acid, the molal ratio of iumaric acid to sebacic acid being about 4:1. About 0.2% of benzoyl peroxide is added to the resulting mixture. Films of the polymerizable mixture may be cured by baking at about 120" C. for from 1-4 hours or more. Clear, flexible films which are substantially iniusible and substantially insoluble are obtained.

Example 3 Diethylene glycol maleate resin and diallyl maleate were mixed in various concentrations and treated with 0.4% of benzoyl peroxide. The following results were obtained after curing four days at 58 C.

Resin Result Per cent Per cent 10 00 Clearsoit. 30 70 Clear-nomibard-gelled alter 24 hours. 50 60 Do. 70 30 Do. 10 Do.

Similar results are obtained substituting dlallyi fumarate and diallyl phthalate.

Example 4 Ethylene glycol maleate resin (acid number 50) and diallyi phthalate were mixed in various concentrations and treated with 0.4% benzoyl peroxide. The mixtures were heated at 44 C. for twenty-four hours and then at C. for three hours with the ioliowing results:

Di I Results 8 Y Phthalate 24 hours 27 hours Percent Per cent 13 1% uild -1. Liquid.

g yopaquege. Slight] o atuc el. 20 80 do Do p I g 30 Do. 40 Do. 50 Clear gel 80 Do.

Example 5 Similar results were obtained with diethylene glycol maleate resin (acid number 32) and ethylene glycol maleate resin (acid number 50) soluble in ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol maleate resins but was soluble in long-chain glycol resins such as, for example, decamethylene glycol maleate resin.

Example 6 Ethylene glycol maleate resin (13 parts) was mixed with allyl or methallyl alcohol (7 parts) and 0.2% benzoyl peroxide. At 00 C. the mass gelled in eight to ten minutes.

with 0.5% of benzoyl perioxide.

turned to the still.

Example 7 To a mixture or about parts oi diallyl phthalate and about 60 parts 0! ethylene glycol maleate resin (acid number 18). about 0.2% benzoyl peroxide was added. This was cast and cured in an oven at 150 C. A clear solid resin was obtained in four to live minutes.

Example 8 Approximately 250 parts of diallyl maleate were heated in a bath. The temperatures of the bath as well as the solution were recorded.

human-diam 'hssoonastharcleflonfllfl thematerialwasremovedn'om'rurthercontactwithheattorapproximatelyfliteen minutes and then rurther heated. The mass wasthen allowedtostandatroomtemperature and then distilled in vacuo. Approximately 60 parts or colorless viscous resin was obtained after the monomeric diallyi maleate had been removed.

2partsoitheresinousdiallylmaleatewere dissolved in 1 part oi ethyl turnarate and treated with 0.2% o1 benzoyl peroxide. In approximately ten minutes at 90 C. a cloudy hard resin resulted.

The resinous diallyl maleate was mixed with equal parts of ethylene glycol maleate and treated At C. cur-i118 resulted in a hard clear resinous mass.

Other resinous substances containing a plurality of unsaturated groups such as allyl cellulose, methallyl cellulose, crotyl cellulose. etc. could be treated in a similar manner with reactive materials or with reactive resins.

Example 9 500 parts of phthalic anhydride, 103 parts of ethylene glycol, 225 parts of allyl alcohol, 225

parts of toluene and 3.4 parts of p-toluene sulionlc acid were heated in such a manner that the hot vapors passed through a bubble-cap fractionating column before condensing. The water was separated and the other components re- The heating was continued for approximately sixteen hours. The mass was then heated in a low vacuum to remove the low boiling constituents and then in a higher vacuum (4 mm). The bath around the flash was maintained at approximately 180 C. for 2.5 hours to remove volatile materials.

The residue remaining was a soft fluid viscous resin at acid number oi 38.

One part of the above resin was mixed hot with 1 part of alphapropylene glycol maleate resin and treated with 0,2 part of benzoyl peroxide. At 120 C. rapid curing was obtained.

Example 10 in ten minutes. One hour at 90 C. was re- 7 8 quired to obtain similar coatings in ten minutes. One hour at C. was required to obtain similar coatings when diallyl succinate was substituted for the diallyl maleate.

Example 11 Aresiniormedbythereactionoi'lmoioi triethylene glycol with 1 mol of a mixture containing iumaric acid (25%) and phthalic anhydride (75%) was mixed with ethylene glycol maleate resin in various proportions. 60 parts oithesemixedresinsweremixedwitheoparts oradiallyl ester,0.05partotcobaitnaphthenate intohiolandozpartorbenaoylperoxidein dioxan. The rollowing runlts were obtained:

na ions aqua-euro.-

11min. mm

Ink-Ins use "it; Do.

maple!) composittonssimilartothosecdlxamplen weremade usingthe same proportions of diallyl maleateresinandcatalyst. Theiollowingresuits at 00 C. were obtained with the resins indicated, the proportions being given in moi it:

Basin Drylngtime Mnaiu Example 13 60 parts diallyl maleate were mixed with 40 parts of diethylene glycol phthalic-maleic rain (50% phthalic-50%maleic). Films 01 this mixture dried from the bottom but the top remained soft. The addition of linseed fatty acids to the resin, however, eliminated this tack.

For coating compositions too large a proportion of maleic acid in the resin should not be used it best adhesion and pliability .is desired. To eliminate the slight amount or surface tack, the alkyd resin may be modified with a small amount of drying oil acids. Drying oils containing a number of unsaturated linkages should be used. The alkyd resin should preferably contain a certain number of oxygen bridges to get good surface drying.

Example 14 Phthalic anhydride parts), triethylene glycol parts) and linseed oil (15 parts) were heated in an atmosphere of CO: at 180 C. for eight hours, resulting in an acid number of 31.8. To the cooled mix there was added maleic anhydride (98 parts) and ethylene glycol (70 parts) and the mixture then heated eight hours at C. under 002. During the last fifteen minutes the gas was blown through quite vigorously to remove the volatile ingredients. After further heating at 150 C. for live hours a resin of acid number 20.3 was obtained.

This resin was dissolved in diallyl maleate in the ratio 60:40, respectively. 0.05% cobalt drier answer Example 48 parts of glycerol, 49 parts of maleic anhydride, 35 parts of linseed oil acids and 09 parts of undecylenic acid were heated to 180 C. during about three hours. Compatibility did not occur and the mass gelled. Upon the slow addition of the linseed oil acids to the hot mixture of the other ingredients compatibility was established. The resin (12 parts) resulting from this reaction was dissolved separately in diallyl maleate (8 parts) and also in toluene (8 parts) and treated with 0.5% benzoyl peroxide and 0.05% cobalt naphthenate and baked at 90 C. The resindiallyl malcate mixture dried in less than an hour whereas the resin-toluene mixture required one and one-half hours to dry.

Obviously the mixture containing the reactive resin and reactive material containing the CH2=C group can be mixed with lacquer inredlents and solvents such as cellulose derivatives. The following example illustrates such a coating composition:

Example 16 Percent Nitrocellulose- 29.2 Ethanol 12.5 Ethyl acetate- 58.3

One part of each of the above solutions was mixed with one part of toluene and the mixture applied to tin. The him was baked for fortyiive minutes at 90 C. to yield a clear, glossy, hard film.

The following examples show molding compositions and shaped or molded articles comprising my polymerizable reactive mixtures:

Example 17 To 125 parts of cellulose filler (Novacel) about 22 parts of diallyl phtb alate containing about 0.1-0.2 part of benzoyl peroxide are added and the resulting composition is placed in a suitable mixer, e. g., a Banbury mixer, and agitated until homogenized. About 45 parts of the solution containing 75% of ethylene glycol maleate and 25% of diallyl phthalate are added and the entire mixture is ground for about 35 minutes.

The resulting product is molded at temperatures of about 130-150 C. and at pressures up to about 3000 pounds per square inch. Small dishlike moldings are produced at this temperature and pressure in about 3 minutes.

Example 18 Parts Ethylene glycol maleate resin 50 Diallyl phthalate 50 Benzoyl peroxide", 0.05 t-Butyl peroxide 0.40.5

This composition may be ground if necessary to disperse the benzoyl peroxide thoroughly. The

mixture is molded in polished molds for about 3 minutes at about C. and at approximately 200 pounds per square inch pressure. A clear, light-colored homogeneous molding is obtained.

The pressure may be varied considerably and satisfactory moldings have been made at pressures as low as pounds per square inch at about 130-140 C. This composition is also suitable for injection molding and in this instance, the liquid composition described above is forced into a hot mold.

Example 19 Parts Resin "E" 60 Diallyl phthalate 40 Benzoyl peroxide 0.5

Resin "E" is dissolved in the diallyl phthalate and the benzoyl peroxide is added. The above solution is coated onto glass fabric and placed between smooth platens. A pressure of about 10-15 pounds/sq. in. is applied to the platens. in order to remove entrapped air. The assembly is then heated at about 150 C. for about 2 hours. The platens are removed and a stiff sheet results.

Using 2 plys of glass cloth. possessing the trade name "EC-1 1-161" (sold by Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation), the following physical properties were obtained using the above resinous composition:

Tensile strength (+25 0.):

32,000 pounds/sq. in. 27,100 pounds/sq. in.

The difference in strength was obtained by cutting specimens parallel to and at right angles to the warp.

The modulus in bending values were:

9.6)(10 pounds/sq. in. at 40 C. 61x10" pounds/sq. in. at 40 C. 9.6x 10 pounds/sq. in, at +25 C. 13x10 pounds/sq. in. at +25 C.

Here again tests were conducted parallel to and at right angles to the warp.

The above liquid composition may be applied by means of a doctor blade, by dipping, followed by squeeze rolls, by spray or by brush.

Resin E above was prepared by heating 6 mols of diethylene glycol, 5 mols of fumaric acid and 1 mol of sebacic acid at about 200 C. until an acid number of about 50 was obtained.

Example 20 Parts Diethylene glycol fumarate 50 Diallyl phthalate 50 Lauroyl peroxide 0.5

The above composition is cast between sheets of glass. A paper spacer of approximately 30 mils is used to separate the glass sheets. The resin is forced into this space by means of a hypodermic needle. The assembly is maintained for about 1 hour at 150 C. The assembly is cooled and placed in cold water. A thin, flexible, hard sheet of resin resulted. The composition is especially transparent since both sides of the sheet had taken the surface from the glass.

Such sheets of resin may be used directly or may be sealed onto other surfaces and used as a coating. When such materials are to be used as coatings, it is preferable to abrade one surface. This may be accomplished mechanically or in the manufacture thereof by the use of 11 etchedglassssoneeastinssuriaceinthe assembly.

a formulation such as follows in the process outlined in Example 30.

Parts Resin "1'" 50 Diallyl phthalate 50 Benaoyl peroxide l Resin "1'" is prepared by heating 2 mols oi sebacic acid, 1 mole iumaric acid and 3 mols oi ethylene glycol at about 200 C. until the acid number is about 50.

A flexible sheet is formed which is similar to that obtained in Example 20.

trample 22 In order to produce compound curved laminated forms. the following procedure has been found satisfactory: Oanvas or glass cloth cut to size is impregnated with the reactive mixture employed in Example 19. The layers of impregnated resin are placed in an appropriate form and a vacuum applied. suitably with a rubber bag. The assem- Canvas is impregnated with the above solution and the excess, ii any. is removed by passing the impregnated canvas through squeeze rolls.

The impregnated canvas is then placed in an oven at about 80 C. until the resin has been partially converted to the intusible, insoluble stage. This operation requires approximately 2-3 hours. The impregnated canvas should be molded immediately or it allowed to stand for any. time. precautions should be taken to avoid exposure to air or oxygen.

The sheets of impregnated canvas are cut, stacked and molded under heat and pressure at about 2000-3000 pounds per square inch and at a temperatures around 125 C. for approximately 4 tours, thereby producing a laminated cloth plate of very high transverse strength.

Alternatively, cut canvas sheets may be impregnated with the above composition without the use of the volatile solvents, alcohol and toluene.

The solution of diallyl phthalate and albd resin is applied to canvas using equal weights canyes and reactive composition. The assembled sheets are placed between platens and placed in a press. A pressure of about 50 pounds/sq. in. is applied and the mass cured at 150 C. for 1.5 hours. A still cured resinous material results. Paper may be impregnated in a similar manner. For example, a composition containing approximately 45-50% resin has a transverse strength of about 16,000-10,000 pounds/sq. in. This laminated plate is particularly suitable for use in production of gear wheels because oi the high transverse strength and since it may be machined easily.

Bcampla 24 Parts Ethylene glycol maleate resin 60 Diallyl maleate 40 Benzoyl peroxide 0.7 cobalt naphthenate 0.04

This mixture is used to impre nate canvas and the impregnated canvas is heated at about C. for around 30-35 minutes in an oven. The material is then cut, stacked and molded at a pressure of about 2500-8000 pounds/sq. in. at a temperature of about 125' C. and for approximately 3 hours. The molded plate thus produced has a transverse strength of about 17,000 pounds/sq. in. and it contains about 40 per cent resin. The strength may be increased and the electrical properties may be improved somewhat by curing the resin at lower temperatures, e. g., C. and at ordinary atmospheric pressures. This. oi course. requires a correspondingly longer time for the conversion to the iniusible, insoluble stage.

Example 25 Parts Resin 6" 50 Diallyl maleate 50 Benaoyl peroxide. 7

This composition is applied to paper on a tube rolling machine. the machine comprising suitable rollers for paper and a means for distributing a uniiorm coating of resin on the paper. After the resin-impregnated paper has been rolled, the roll is out, stacked and partially cured (i. e., polymerized) at about C. and then molded at somewhat higher temperature, e. g., -130 C. at a pressure 01' about 2000 pounds/sq. in, The resulting molded plate has good electrical properties and it has excellent transverse strength. If desired. cylindrical moldings can be produced by suitable modification oi the apparatus and Vrscosrrr Amos-mam or Rncrrvs Mixruss It is sometimes desirable to reduce the viscosity of our mixtures of reactive resin and reactive material containing the CHa=C group, as, for instance. when a very viscous resin is to be used for coating. It is possible to do this by adding an esteriiication catalyst, e. g., p-toluene sullonic acid and then heating until the viscosity goes down. The mechanism 01 this change is probably reesteriflcation. This is also useful when the composition is to be baked at high temperature, under which conditions the reactive material would be lost in part by evaporation. If this "thinning" process is carried out, the reactive material is combined with the resin by reesteriflcation and is not lost. It is also desirable to add a polymerization inhibitor before the heating or "thinning" process.

Example 26 A resin made by esteriflcation at C. of 294 parts of maleic anhydride, 121 parts sebaclc acid.

227 parts or ethylene glycol. 32 parts or linseed fatty acids and 3.6 parts of p-toluene suli'onic acid was mixed with diallyl maleate in the ratio or 80 parts of resin and 40 parts of diallyl maleate, 0.01% p-toluene suli'onic acid added, and the mixture heated in an oil bath at 90 C. for five hours. The viscosity decreased from to 8 poises.

In casting or molding operations using a mixture of a reactive resin and reactive material containing the CH2=C group, it may sometimes be desirable to body the reactive mixture before adding the catalyst in order to cut down the induction period which would otherwise be too long. This may be done by heating a mixture of resin and reactive material from about 70 C. to about 110 (3., preferably at about 90 C., for sufilcient length of time to substantially reduce the induction period. This time will vary with each resin-reactive material combination with the initial viscosity and other such factors but may be determined by observation of the rise of viscosity. The heating should continue until the viscosity begins to rise rapidly. A general rule for determining the heating time is to heat the mixture until the viscosity is about two to three times the initial viscosity.

After the bodying operation is carried out, the polymerization catalyst is added to the mixture and the whole subjected to polymerization conditions. The use of liquid peroxides instead of solid peroxides is an advantage after bodying the resin mixture since it is difficult to get the solid peroxides dissolved rapidly enough. Peroxides of the coconut oil acids, tertiary butyl peroxide and ascaridole are suitable liquids.

By the use of this process the induction period is cut down from approximately to the time that is required when the bodying process is not used. Even greater reductions are obtained with some mixtures.

In bodying reactive mixtures containing the reactive resin and a reactive material containing the CH2=C group wherein the proportion of reactive material is greater than about 30%, the viscosity rise is so sudden that it may be somewhat diillcult to control it. Accordingly, if it is desired to body a resin-reactive material mixture containing more than 30% of reactive material, an alternative procedure is used. By this method one first bodies a mixture containing only 30% of reactive material. Then a small portion of additional reactive material is added, for ex ample, sufficient to make the reactive material concentration 40% and then this is bodied. still more reactive material is desired, another small portion of reactive material is added and the bodying process repeated. This process is repeated until the desired concentration and viscosity is obtained.

ADDITION or Im-rmrroxs One of the difl'iculties in the use of the compositions described above is that they are not susceptible to storage in the mixed form because polymerization will usually take place ever; at room temperature within a comparatively short time. Moreover, when it is desired to cure the compositions very rapidly under heat and pressure, the reaction becomes at times so vigorous that it cannot be controlled. In order to overcome these diillculties it has been found advisable to incorporate a small proportion of a polymerization inhibitor in the mixture of resin and reactive material. When it is desired to use this mixture. a small percentage of the polymerization catalyst is added. suilicient to overcome the effect of the inhibitor as well as to promote the polymerization. By careful control of the concentrations of inhibitor and catalyst. a uniform product is obtainable with a good reaction velocity. Upon subjection of this mixture to polymerization conditions such as heat, light or a combination of both, and with or without pressure. an infusible, insoluble resin is produced which has many more desirable characteristics than the resins produced by the polymerization of mixtures not containing the polymerization inhibitor such as, for instance, the lack of fractures.

Suitable polymerization inhibitors for this reaction are phenolic compounds especially the polyhydric phenols and aromatic amines. Specific examples of this group of inhibitors are hydroquinone, benzaldehyde, ascorbic acid, isoascorbic acid, resorcinol, tannin, sym. d1, beta naphthyl p-phenylene diarnine and phenolic resins. Sulfur compounds are also suitable.

The concentration of inhibitor is preferably low and I have found that less than about is usually sufficient. However, with the preferred inhibitors I prefer to use only about 0.01% to about 0.1%.

The inhibitor may be incorporated in the reactive resin-reactive material combination (either before or after bodying) or it may be added to the original reactive resin before or during the esterification of the said reactive resin. By adding the inhibit-or before the esterification it is sometimes possible to use an inhibitor which would otherwise be substantially insoluble in the reactive resin-reactive material composition. By adding the inhibitor to the unesterified mixture the inhibitor may become bound into the resin upon subsequent esteriflcation.

Example 27 Resins were made up of the following compositions by esterification for the same length of time at C.:

Ingredients Resin No. l Resin No. 2

Maleic Anhvdrido 49 49 Ethylene Glycol 41 41 Bcnzaldehyde 5 Resin No. 2 was slightly yellower but had a lower viscosity than resin No. 1.

These resins were mixed with equal parts of diallyl maleate. The viscosity of the diallyl maleate solutions of resin No. l and resin No. 2 was 4.0 poises and 3.0 poises, respectively. Each of these solutions gelled when treated with 0.2% benzoyl peroxide and subjected to heat, even though resin No. 2 contained a polymerization inhibitor while resin No. 1 did not contain an inhibitor.

REACTIVE RESINS AND THEIR PREPARATION make it difllcult to obtain rapid esteriflcation. The glycols are generally preferable. It colorless resins be desired or ii optimum electrical properties be desired, it is preferable to use glycols which do not have any oxygen bridges in their structure since the presence of oxygen linkages may lead to the formation oi color bodies during the preparation of the resin. By the use of glycols which do not contain the oxygen bridges clear colorless resins may be produced. n the other hand, oxygen bridges may be desirable if the resin is to be used in coating as they cause films to dry faster.

The particular choice of glycol or other polyhydric alcohol used in preparing the resin is governed mainly by the physical properties desired of the intermediate and final polymerization products, especially hardness, impact resistance, distensibility, refractive index, adhesion, compatibillty relationships, etc., including also solvent, water alkali, acid or chemical resistance in general.

The alpha, beta unsaturated organic acids which I prefer to use in preparing the reactive resins include maleic, fumaric, itaconic and citraconic although other similar acids could be substituted such as mesaconlc acid, aconitic acid and halogenated maleic acids such as chlormaleic acid and any of the foregoing could be substituted in part with acrylic, beta benzoyl acrylic, methacry lic, n -cyclohexene carboxylic, cinnamic, and crotonic acids. Obviously, various mixtures of these acids can be used where expedient.

The reactive resins may be modified with other substances which are used in alkyd resins, i. e., monohydric alcohols, monobasic acids or dibasic acids, e. g., phthalic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, etc., which do not contain groups polymerizably reactive with respect to or anic substances containing CH2=C groups. These modifying agents are usually used as diluents or plasticizers, chemically combined in the resin. The use of a small proportion of the saturated dibasic acids generally improves the mechanical properties of the resins after copolymerization with the material containing the CH2=C group.

The reactive resins may be prepared from poly. hydric alcohols other than the glycols or from mixtures including a glycol and a higher polyhydric alcohol. Examples of these are glycerol, pentaerythritol, etc. Polyhydric alcohols containlng more than two hydroxyl groups react very readily with the alpha, beta unsaturated organic acids. Consequently it may be preferable to use some monohydrlc alcohol in conjunction with the alcohols which contain more than two hydroxyl groups or else some monobasic acid may be used.

It is also possible to introduce initially into the resin structure a certain number of groupings of the type CH==C through the use of unsaturated alkyl compounds. One way of accomplishing this, for example is by direct esteriflcation of an unsaturated alcohol containing a CH2=C group. Examples of such alcohols are ally] alcohol and methallyl alcohol.

While the reactive resins may be modified in the same general manner as other alkyd resins, it is preferable to have at least 20% polyhydric alcohol in the reactive mixture and at least 25% polybasic acid in said reactive mixture. If a monohydric alcohol or a dibasic acid which does not contain polymerizable active groups with respect to organic substances containing the CH1=C groups be used, the proportion of such substances will depend on the properties required of the polymerized reactive material-reactive resin mixture. By the use of a relatively large proportion of a polymerizably active dibasic acid, e. g.. maleic, in the reactive resin, a hard, tough polymer is produced upon subsequent reaction 01 said reactive resin with a reactive material containing the CH2=C group. On the other hand, if the reactive resin is obtained from a relatively small proportion of polyrnerizably active dibasic acid and a relatively large proportion of acids which do not contain groups polymerizably active with respect to organic substances containing CH2=C groups, a softer and more rubbery resin results upon polymerization with a reactive material containing the CH2=C group. The same effect is produced by the introduction of other inactive ingredients. By varying the ingredients and the proportions of the ingredients, resins may be obtained having properties desirable for almost any particular use.

The unsaturated alkyd resins employed in accordance with my invention are preferably those having an acid number not greater than 50 although in some cases resins having an acid number as high as may be desirable. Generally, the acid number should be as low as possible, but this is sometimes controlled by practical considerations of operation such as time, temperature and economy.

The resins should be so formulated that the carboxyl groups of the acids are reacted with the theoretical molal equivalent of the hydroxyl groups of the alcohols. In this connection it is to be noted that the hydroxyl groups of modifying alcohols as well as the carboxyl groups of modifying acids should be included with the hydroxyl groups and carboxyl groups of the principal reactants, the polyhydric alcohol and the alpha, beta unsaturated polycarboxylic acid, respectively.

If it be desirable to introduce lower alkyl groups into the resin, this may be done by using maleic esters of monohydric alcohols, e. g., ethyl maleate. The alkyl ester will then be united with the resin by polymerization. This could not be accomplished with the saturated type of alkyd, e. g., phthallc acid esters of polyhydric alcohols.

Resins which contain a plurality of alpha, beta enal groups are sensitive to light, heat and polymerizing catalysts. Since oxygen tends to cause these resins to polymerize. it is desirable that the resins should be made in the absence of this substance, especially when colorless resins are required. The exclusion of oxygen and polymerizing catalysts is 'desirable during the preparation of the resin and the presence of dissolved oxygen in the original reactants is also preferably avoided. Moreover, dust and extraneous particles that reagents may pick up usually should be removed, especially if colorless resins are desired. One manner in which the dissolved gases and other extraneous impurities may be removed is through the distillation of the ingredients into the reaction chamber in the absence of air.

In order to keep oxygen from contact with the reactants an inert gas such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen may be introduced into the reaction chamber. This may be done either by merely passing the gas over the surface or by bubbling the gas through the liquid reactants. In the latter instance it may be made to perform the added function of agitating the mixture thus eliminating the necessity for mechanical agitation. The inert gas will also carry away at least part of the water formed and toward the end of the reaction it can be used to carry away the reactants still remaining unreacted. Upon separation of the water vapor the used carbon dioxide or other inert gas would be particularly suitable for making high grade colorless resins since any residual reactive impurities such as oxygen would have been removed in its passage through the first batch of resin reactants.

The effect or light is not so important is the reactants are purified and the reaction carried on in an inert atmosphere as outlined above. However. as an added precaution the esteriilcation may be conducted in the dark. It is also advisable to avoid local overheating and discoloration is minimized if the reaction is conducted below a temperature of about 200 C. To avoid overheating it is advisable to raise the temperature slowly at the beginning, especially if an anhydride be used since the reaction between an anhydride and an alcohol is exothermic.

The preparation of the reactive resins is illustrated in the following examples, the reactants being given in parts by weight.

PnnrAaArron or Ream A 98 parts of freshly distilled maleic anhydride were reacted with about 10% in excess of equimolecular proportions of freshly distilled ethylene glycol (68 parts) at about 170-175 C. An excess of ethylene glycol is preferred because of its high volatility. The mixture is continuously agitated and carbon dioxide is introduced into the reaction chamber during the reaction thereby blanketing the surface of the reactants. After eight to twelve hours a clear, water-white resin is produced with an acid number of 35-50.

PREPARATION or RESIN "B" Diethylene glycol (106 parts) and maleic anhydride (98 parts) were separately vacuum distilled into a reaction chamber which had been used in previous preparations, and the mixture was stirred mechanically while carbon dioxide gas was introduced over the surface of the resin to exclude air and to remove water that was formed in the esterification- The reaction was conducted at 170 C. for a period of from eight to twelve hours yielding a resin of acid number of 35-50.

PREPARATION or Beam "(2 1200 parts of maleic anhydride were mixed with 1023 parts alpha propylene glycol (equivalent to one moi of each plus approximately of the glycol). This mixture was heated with agitation in an inert atmosphere at 150-165 C. After about four hours the resin turned opaque on cooling. After about eleven hours heating, a resin is obtained which is somewhat brittle at room temperature and the acid number is between 35-50.

PREPARATION or RsAcrIvn Rasm AZIIOTROPICALLY Since the viscosity of the resin frequently becomes quite high if the esteriflcation is carried to a low acid number, it may be desirable to produce the resin under azeotropic conditions. Accordingly, the esteriflcation is conducted in an organic solvent which dissolves the reactants as well as the resultant resin and which is preferably substantially insoluble in water. Examples of these are: benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene dichloride, propylene dichloride, ethylene and propylene trichlorides. butylene dichloride and trichloride and also higher boiling solvents such as cresol and methyl cyclohexanone although some of these may tend to darken the resin. The mixture is refluxed in such a manner as to separate the water formed by the esteriflcation. Much lower temperatures are used than are used under the conditions outlined in Examples 19-21. Suitable temperatures range between -145 C., for example, tor the lower boiling members or the group of solvents set forth above. Obviously, this will vary with diirerent solvents and with different concentrations of solvent. The range of preferred concentrations for the inert solvent is from about 25% to about 50%. An esteriflcation catalyst is usually necessar because a comparatively low temperature is employed. Examples of these are thymol sulfonic acid, d-camphor suli'onic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acid and p-toluene suli'onic acid. Obviously other known esteriilcation catalysts could be used. A.resin having any particular acid number if made azeotropical- 1y will usually have a lower viscosity than one of the corresponding acid number not made azeotropically.

PREPARATION or Rrsm D 98 parts of maleic anhydride, (vacuum distilled), 106 parts of diethylene glycol (vacuum distilled), about 175 parts ethylene dichloride and about 3 parts d-camphor sulfonic acid were mixed in a reaction chamber. The heating was conducted in an oil bath maintained at -145 C. for nine hours. The distillation temperature began at about 90 C. but gradually rose during the heating. The apparatus was so arranged that the water would be separated from the reflux. A light yellow resin with an acid number of about 19.8 was produced after driving off the volatile ingredients including the ethylene dichloride.

Similar results were obtained using thymol sulfonic acid and approximately the same proportions except that only about 148 parts of ethylene dichloride were used. A resin of acid number 11.3 was obtained- The resins prepared in the manner illustrated above are merely exemplary of the reactive resins which I contemplate using for reaction with a material containing the CHa=C group in the practice of my invention. Other resins of the same type ma be prepared in a similar manner.

Among these resins the following may be employed in place of part or all of those mentioned above: ethylene glycol fumarate, diethylene glycol lumarate, alpha propylene glycol maleate, polyethylene glycol maleates (e. g., hexaethylene glycol maleate). polymethylene glycol maleates (e. g., decamethyiene glycol maleate), octadecandiol fumarate, the maleic esters: of 2,2-dimethyl propenediol-1,3, or 1,3-butanediol, of 1,2- propanedlol and of 2-ethyl, 2 butyl butanediol- 1,3, glycerol maleate undecylenate, triethylene glycol chlormaleate, triethylene glycol terpene maleate (derived from the interaction of moi of terpene and 1 mol of maleic in the presence of excess of terpene).

When a resin is treated with a reactive material containing the CH2=C group, the material may or may not dissolve the resin depending on the chemical nature of both the material and the resin. If the resin be incompatible with this reactive material, chemical interaction of the type described cannot occur in that compatibility has not been establshed. Under these conditions another solvent may then be introduced as an ad- 19 ditional constituent. If the solvent is inert, it plays no part in the reaction but is so selected that both the reactive material and the resin are soluble yielding a homogeneous system 01' reactive material, inert solvent and resin. This invention relates to compatible combinations of a reactive resin and a reactive material containing the CH===C group. Such combinations may be obtained by the use of inert blending solvents where necessary although the use of only reactive materials containing the CH2=C group which act as solvents is preferred.

The terms compatible and homogeneous as used in the specification and claims are intended to indicate a system, the constituents of which are uniformly distributed throughout the whole mass, and when applied to solutions, to indicate that these may be either true solutions or colloidal solutions as long as they are substantially stable.

When a reactive resin and a reactive material containing the CH2=C group undergo chemical reaction, certain possibilities arise. The reactive resin and reactive material may combine in such a manner as to lead to the formation of a resinous colloidal entity and the end-product is clear, glass-like and homogeneous. Alternatively, the reactive resin and the reactive material may interact in such a manner as to yield colloidal entities wherein varying degrees of opacity or colloidal colors result. The end-product under these conditions may be partially translucent or opaque.

The final resin composition is obtained by dissolving a resin containing the alpha, beta enal groups in a reactive material containing the group C=CH2. The chemical reaction which is believed to take place is that the reactive material combines with the resin at the points of unsaturation yielding a less unsaturated system which is essentially insoluble and infusible. Ordinarily when a resin is dissolved in a solvent, the changes which occur are physical in nature. The resin may be isolated from the solvent mixture chemically unchanged. In the present invention, however, the combination of the reactive material containing the CH1=C group which acts as the solvent and reactive resin becomes an inseparable entity, the original ingredients not being removed by the solvents tor the original ingredients.

Through the use of a small amount of reactive alkyd resin dissolved in a large amount of reactive material containing the CH2=C group, the final composition contains not only the ester groupings which were originally present in the alkyd resin but also the carbon-to-carbon molecular bonds which link the reactive material and the reactive resin, Through the use of a small amount of resin and a large amount of reactive material, the composite resin is no longer soluble in those inert solvents wherein the reactive material resinifled alone would dissolve. Under long exposure to the inert solvent. the composite resin will tend to imbibe a certain quantity of inert solvent but it does not possess the solubility of the reactive material when resinified alone. This property is a distinct advantage in that the physical contour of an object made oi the polymerized resin is not lost through solution.

Comparison of the softening point of the reactive material containing the CH2=C group n. ...-r A: HM, enffnhiflfl nnini'. of the composite 0 resin formed through interaction of the resin and reactive material shows that the soitenins point of the latter has been raised. The softening point may be increased very markedly depending upon the ratio or resin used in the composition.

In general the softening point oi resins has a distinct bearing on their behavior at room temperature as well as at elevated temperatures.

Where the softening point is too low, difllculty is encountered in that articles made irom the resin slowly lose their shape. In large articles the eflect becomes very noticeable. A softening point when too high, on the other hand, results in a composition which will not soften sufllciently in a mold. Roughly three types of compositions exist with respect to the ratio of resin to reactive material containing the CH2=C group. First, a large amount of reactive material and a small amount of resin; second, substantial quantities of both ingredients; and third, 9. large amount of resin and a small amount of reactive material. The second composition when fully cured possesses no softening point. The first and third varieties of composition when cured may, under high temperatures and pressure, be made to flow slightly.

The composition obtained from substantial quantities of both reactive material containing the CHa=C group and reactive resin in the cured state may be machined, turned on a lathe, sanded and polished and used in general as a turnery composition. The absence of softening renders the material particularly adaptable to this purpose. In that it is unflowable, it may be machined without danger of softening and gumming tools. Moreover, such a composition may, if desired, be obtained in large blocks.

My resins may be utilized in: moldings, with or without filler; laminated materials as the bonding agent; adhesives; coating compositions for use in finishes for wood, metals or plastics, or in the treatment or fibrous materials such as paper, cloth or leather; as impregnating agents for fibrous materials; as assistants in dyeing. etc.

In order to use the composition for molding, it may be necessary to prevent the composition from curing too fast. During the change from a liquid to a hard resin, varying stages of hardness exist and by interrupting the reaction at a definite point, the material may then be placed in a form and hardened under heat. Sheets of resin may be twisted, or made to conform to a pattern, and then subsequently cured in the shaped form by heat alone.

One manner in which this may be accomplished is to polymerize the reactive resin and reactive material containing the CH2=C group without catalysts until the material is no longer fluid but still not completely cured. By grinding this partially polymerized material a molding composition is obtained which can then be shaped under heat and pressure.

Example 28 A mixture oi about 40 parts by weight of diallyl phthalate and about 60 parts by weight of ethylene glycol maleate resin (acid number 18) was mixed with 0.2% benzoyl peroxide. This would ordinarily gel in five to six minutes at C. The mixture was prewarmed for two minutes at 90 C. and poured into the mold, the pressure raised to 2000 pounds for about two minutes and then lowered to 1000 pounds. The mold was 21 opened after eight minutes to yield a clear hard Example 29 A mixture of equal parts by weight oi. butylene glycol fumarate, (prepared by heating molar quantities of butylene glycol and fumaric acid at about 175 C. until the resin has an acid number of about 50) and diallyl phthaiate is treated with 0.5% of benzoyl peroxide and poured into a mold, the sides of which are two sheets of plate glass spaced inch apart. The assembly is heated for about V2 hour at 100 0. Under these conditions, a flexible sheet is formed.

The sheet may be distorted and bent into various forms. By further curing in the bent form the resin burdens and assumes the form imposed.

One procedure is as follows: A mandrel was lightly covered with glycerol, the flexible sheet is bent over the mandrel and the resin is covered with glycerol. A thin sheet of metal is then superimposed on the assembly and secured mechanically. The entire mass is heated in an oven for 1 hour at 150 C. A hardened shaped mass results.

The glycerol is used to maintain the original clear surface. It is particularly useful where one surface is glass since the cured resin may adhere very tenaciously to glass.

All types of simple curves can readily be fashioned. Compound curves are more dilflcult to produce since the resin in the semi-cured stage may be distensible to only a limited extent.

To produce moldings or laminated materials combinations of reactive resin and reactive material containing the CH2=C group may be mixed with one or more of the various fillers, e. g., wood flour. wood fiber, paper dust, clay, diatomaceous earths, zein, glass wool, mica, granite dust, silk flock, cotton flock, steel wool, silicon carbide, paper, cloth of any fiber including glass, sand, silica flour, white, black or colored pigments, etc. Such mixtures may be partially polymerized, ground and molded. On the other hand, the liquid composition may be bodied and introduced directly into a mold and polymerization from a viscous liquid to a solid resin conducted in one step.

In that the composition of reactive resin and reactive material is initially quite limpid, it may be used for impregnating various porous objects or employed as a coating composition.

If the poiymerizable compositions are to be molded under low pressure (e. g., [1-50 pounds/sq. in.) the composition may be employed without bodying or partial polymerization.

The liquid polymerizable mixture may be introduced in a positive mold without any filler. In this instance, however, the reaction becomes quite exothermic but this may be conveniently controlled by the addition of a suitable polymerization inhibitor.

The ratio of reactive material containing the CH2=C group to reactive resin in the final composition will not only have a bearing on the soitening point and on methods of working the resin but on various other physical properties, c. g., light transmission, scratch resistance, indentation hardness and are resistance. By a judicious selection of the ratio of reactive material to reactive resin a composition best suited to these varying needs of industry may be fabricated.

The methods by hich the reactive material containing the CH2=C group may be made to combine are various. Heat, light or catalysts may be used or combinations of these, or a combination oi heat and pressure. Any suitable method of heating may be used including the application of high frequency electric fields to induce heat in the reactive mixture to polymerize the latter.

During the transformation of the soft, llmpid resinous composition to a hard massive structure, various stages occur which may be roughly separated as follows: first, the induction period wherein the material remains as a sol which slowly increases in viscosity; secondly, the transformation of the sol into a gel: and third, the hardening of the gel. During the transformation of the sol to a gel, an exothermic reaction occurs which may be very viclent if uncontrolled. Moreover, the gel has relatively poor heat conductivity resulting in heat being transferred poorly through the mass, not only external heat but the heat that is generated during chemical reaction. cognizance has to be taken of these features in the hardening of the composition, particularly in the casting or molding of large blocks.

Light when used alone causes a relatively long induction period and during the transformation of the sol to the gel requires cooling to overcome the exothermic reaction especially when a powerful source of light is used ior final curing. Using heat alone, geiation occurs readily enough at appropriate temperatures but since the gel, when formed, has poor heat conductivity, fracturing may occur in the last stage. -Through the use of heat and catalyst, the reaction may become very violent unless the heating is carefully controlled.

Various combinations of these three factors may be used to bring about hardening of the mass. Mild heating of the reactive resin and reactive material containing the CH2=C group with or without inhibitors brings about a very gradual increase in viscosity which may be controlled quite easily and readily. When the solution has taken on an appropriate consistency, then accelerators may be introduced and heating conducted at a very much lower temperature. Mild heating may first be used and the mass then exposed to light. Use of superoxides and light is very effective. In other words, through the use of initial heating or bodying, the invention time may be decreased markedly.

While I have specifically described the reaction of mixtures of a reactive resin and a reactive material containing the CH2=C group in the liquid state I am not precluded from reacting the reactive material in the vapor state with the resin. Compositions containing a reactive resin and a reactive material containing the CHz=C group are originally liquid compositions and by proper treatment at relatively low temperature they can be converted into hard masses. The wide divergence of the properties of such compositions enables them to be used in a variety of different ways. In the liquid form they may be used as an adhesive, impregnating agent or as a surface coating. In that the hardening does not depend upon evaporation, the liquid may be applied to the surfaces desired with the reactive resin mixed with the reactive material containing the CH2=C group which acts as the solvent and combining in situ to form a homogeneous adhesive. Such an adhesive can be used for bringing diverse substances together, wood, metal, glass, rubber, or other resinous compositions such as phenolic or urea condensation products. As a surface composition in the liquid form, softening agents, cellulose ethers or esters amps? could be added as well as natural or artificial resins. and the hardening brought about through catalysts such as cobalt salts. oxygen liberating substances or hardening could be accomplished with light. Since these compositions dry from the bottom rather than from the top, the latter frequently remains tacky for a relatively lengthy period. In order to overcome this, drying oil fatty acids. e. g., linseed ofl fatty acids are added to the esterification mixture in making the original reactive resin and this will cause the top surface to dry quickly upon subsequent polymerisation with a reactive material containing the CH1=C group. In this way a coating composition is obtained which dries both from top and bottom.

The liquid resinous composition, moreover, may be cast or molded and after hardening may be isolated as a finished product, or could be out. turned and polished into the desired finished product. Provided the surface of the mold is highly polished, the resinous substance would acquire a clear, smooth finish from the mold. The compositions so obtained being insoliflile are not easily attacked by solvents and being infusible may be worked with ordinary wood worhng or metal tools. The artificial mass can be cut, turned on a lathe, polished and sanded without superficial softening and streaking.

Obviously natural resins or other synthetic resins may be admixed with the resins of this invention in order to obtain products suitable for particular purposes. Examples of these are shellac, cellulose esters and others, urea resins, phenolic resins, alkyd resins, ester gum, etc. The resins of my invention may also be mixed with rubber or synthetic rubber-like products if desired.

In that many of these resins are originally transparent and free of color. they may be colored with suitable dyes to a wide variety of transparent soft pastel shades. An example of a suitable dye is Sudan IV. Darker shades may be obtained, if desired, e. g., with nigrosine.

It may be desirable in some instances to form a copolymer of one or more substances containing the group CH2=C and at least one polylnerizable unsaturated alkyd resin and, after molding or casting this into any desired shape, to apply a coating of a harder copolymer to the outside, thus obtaining the same effect as is obtained in the metallurgical fields by case hardening. Similarly, inserts may be filled with a hard resin in order to act as bearing surfaces or for some other purpose. Such coatings or inserts adhere tenaciously and appear to become integral with the original piece. In order to secure the best results in manufacturing such products, it is desirable to first abrade the surface of the article before the application of the harder film. During the curing operation, the abrasion marks disappear. This treatment is also of considerable importance since it may also be used to refinish articles which might have been marred in use.

Many of the advantageous properties of the resin resulting from the polymerization of mixtures containing reactive materials containing the CH2=C group and reactive resins are apparent from the foregoing disclosure. Several important advantages are now to be set forth.

In molding and casting operations curing takes place either in the presence or absence of air very rapidly. This is of great importance in curing large blocks. Other alkyd resins require 2taverymuchlcngertimetocureinlargeblocks. i. e., many months, whereas the composition of a reactive resin and reactive materials containing the CH==C group require only a few days, at the most.

Another important. advantage is the fact that the reactive material containing the CHa=C group which acts as the solvent combines with the resin leaving no residual solvent and giving no problems as to solvent removal.

One of the outstanding advantages of these resins is quick curing time which renders them available for injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion molding.

Castings which are polymers of such substanca as methyl methacrylate, for example, frequently contain bubbles which are formed in the lower part of thecasting. Inasmuch as the present invention is directed to systems wherein the polymerization proceeds from the bot-tom to the top. no bubbles are trapped in the casting.

Similar advantages are present in coating opcrations such as the lack of shrinkage of the film due to loss of solvent because of the combination between the reactive main and the reactive material containing the CH==C group which acts as the solvent. Furthermore, the composition dries from the bottom, there are no bubbles from the solvent and there is no water driven off. A clear bubble-free, impervious coating is, therefore, more readily obtainable with the combinations of a reactive resin and reactive material containing the CI-Ia=C group than with other coating compositions. Since there is no solvent to be removed and since air is not needed to dry the compositions, relatively thick layers may be applied in one operation.

This application is a oontinuation-ln-part of my copending applications Serial Nos. 248,538, filed December 30, 1933 now abandoned, 349,240, filed August 1, 1940 now abandoned, and 481,034, filed May 14, 1943.

Obviously many other reactants and modifications may be used in the u a. a outlined in this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A polymerizable composition comprising (1) an unsaturated alhd resin (2) a compatible polyallyl ester of a saturated aliphatic pobcarboniic acid and (3) a catalyst for accelerating the copulymerlzation of (1) and (2).

2. A polymerizabie composition, including (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin (2) diallyl succinate. and (3) a catalyst for accelerating the copolymerization of (1) and (2).

3. A polymerlzable composition, including (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin (2) triallyl tricarballyla'te, and (3) a catalyst for accelerating the copolymerization of (l) and (2).

4. A polymerizable composition, including (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin (2) diallyl sebacate, and (3) a catalyst for accelerating the copolymerization of (1) and (2).

5. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a polymerizable mixture of copolymerizahle, compatible materials including (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction of ingredients comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha imsaturated alpha beta dicarboxylic acid and (2) a polyallyl ester of a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid.

6. A synthetic. polymerized composition cona polyallyl ester of a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid.

9. The product of polymerization of a mixture of compatible. copolymerizable materials consisting of a maleic ester of a polyhydric alcohol and a polyallyl ester of a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid.

10. A composition comprising the product oi polymerization of a polymerizable mixture including triallyl tricarballylate and an unsaturated allwd resin, said materials being copolymerizable and compatible.

11. A composition comprising the product 01' polymerization of a polymerizable mixture of copolymerizable, compatible materials including (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction of ingredients comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta dioarboxylic acid and (2) triallyl tricarballylate.

12. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a polymerizabie mixture including a maleic diester of a dihydric alcohol and triaiiyi tricarballylate.

13. As a new product, a resinous interpolymer obtained by inter-polymerization of a mixture of copolymerizable materials consisting oi trlaliyl tricarbaliylate and an unsaturated alkyd resin which is a polyester of a mixture including a, p unsaturated dlcarboiwiic acid and a dihydric alcohol.

14. The method of producing new synthetic compositions which comprises polymerizing a polymerizable composition comprising (1) triallyl tricarballylate, (2) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin compatible with the component oi Number 26 (1), and (3) a catalyst ior accelerating the copolymerization of the materials of (1) and (2).

15. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a polymerizable mixture including a i'umaric diester of a. dihydric alcohol and triallyi tricarballylate.

16. As a new product, a. resinous interpolymer obtained by interpolymerization of a mixture of copolymerizabie materials consisting of diethylene glycol maleate and triallyl tricarballylate.

17. A heat-hardenable molding composition comprising (1) a filler and (2) a poly composition comprising (a) triailyi tricarbaliylate, (b) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin compatible with the component oi (a) and obtained by reaction of ingredients comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta dlcarboxylic acid, and (c) a catalyst for accelerating the copolymerization of the materials of (a) and (b).

18. A product obtained by the polymerization of a mixture of compatible copoiymerizable materials comprising (1) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) a polyallyl ester of a saturated aliphatic polycarboxyiic acid.

19. A polymerizable composition comprising triallyl tricarballylate and a compatible polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin.

20. A polymerizable composition comprising (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) a compatible polyallyl ester 01' a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid.

EDWARD L. KROPA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Kienle Aug. 8, 1934 Dykstra June 18, 1935 Garvey Apr. 25, 1939 Ellis Mar. 26, 1940 Garvey June 4, 1940 Ellis Sept. 9, 1941 Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,443,737. June 22, 1948.

EDWARD L. KROPA It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 15, egctreme right-hungfigortion thereof for CH read 0H,; column 7 line 39, for perioxide read pero column 18, line 74, for "establshed read estalilished; column 22, line 48, for the word "mvention reed induction;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case In the Patent Olfice.

Signed and sealed this 8th day of February, A. D. 1949.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uom/rm'an'oner of Patents. 

